Fipple flute



E. V. POWELL April 28, 1959 FIPPLE FLUTE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March17, 1955 INVENTOR fdwara 1 7 0we// 4w? ATTORNEY-5 April 1959 E. v.POWELL 2,883,898

FIPPLE FLUTE Filed March 1'7, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 T 7 W/ C///////////////////////A lNVEN R ATTO RNEYS United States Patent FIPPLEFLUTE Edward V. Powell, Scarsdale, NY.

Application March 17, 1955, Serial No. 494,885

Claims. (Cl. 84-384) This invention relates to a fipple-flute, andembodies improvements in such an instrument to produce improved:

I. Tone-production, quality, and wide range of volume between soft andloud;

II. Means to produce half-tones; and

Ill. Mechanism for manipulation of the moving parts to simply,efiiciently and accurately produce the various tones and quality.

In regard to tone production the following factors are to be noted:

Firstwhen air is in motion with respect to a curved surface, the airtends to follow the curved surface, the degree of deflection being afunction of the speed of the air, greater deflection when the air speedis greater.

Second-when a hole is pierced through the material of the curved surfaceand where the air is in motion over the opening, the initial action isto reduce pressure in the hole, which action is immediately followed byan equal and opposite reaction of compression at the hole opening. Thispaired action and reaction following in quick succession propagates atone wave. An increase in the speed of the impressed air over theopening creates an increase in the amplitude of the wave and theaddition of overtones to the fundamental tone.

The improved fipple-flute herein in its preferred form, provides (1) abody portion with a longitudinal opening or bore therein, thus formingan internal air column, and (2) a mouthpiece portion which has aconfined or constricted longitudinal curved bore for part of its length,and has an open curved length for receiving and guiding the compressedair issuing from the curved bore. In addition, this mouthpiece portionhas a vertical hole at the exit of the curved bore that leads to anexpansion or resonating chamber that in turn leads to the internal aircolumn of the body portion of this improved fippleflute.

Thus, the instrument functions, in general, to have the impressed airissuing from the curved bore in the mouth piece to first create airrarefaction and then air compression in the expansion or resonatingchamber and thus exert an effect on the internal air column. The opera.tion of the various keys and the temporary covering of the holes alongthe body portion of the instrument func tions to determine the multipletones of the chromatic scale.

The air under compression issuing from the curved bore will hereinafterbe noted as an air reed, and as noted above when under different degreesof compression and passing over the vertical hole causes the air columnin the body portion of the instrument to vibrate at differentamplitudes. With the formation and action of the air reed and themanipulation of the keys, resonance and harmonic partials are added tothe fundamental tone and provide an extended range of sonority of tone.

In regard to the structure for producing half-tones as noted underheading II, the chimney-key structure described below is provided forspecial changes of the lengths of the air column.

In regard to the manipulation mechanism noted under heading III, thatwill also be described in detail and will indicate the cooperatingportions of the mechanism for varying the positions of the keys orcovers over some of the openings in the wall of the improved instrument.

Further and in more particular, the invention relates to musical windinstruments, particularly wood-wind instruments of the variety known asfipple-fiutes having finger holes for easy playing of simple music. Itis the purpose of this invention to extend the scope and broaden themusical qualities of this type of instrument by securing an accuratechromatic scale for at least three octaves, and for improving the tonalquality and control thereof, and for introducing in the tonal qualitythe factor of dynamics which is the basis of true musical expression.

Another of the features of the invention is directed to certainstructures of the instrument for producing half-tones of the chromaticscale. These structures are herein called chimney-keys.

It is well known to musicians that quality of tone is dependent on thepresence of overtones, or harmonic partials added to the fundamentaltone, and it is known that the greater the number of overtones thericher will be the tone. The pattern of overtones forms a definitemathematical relationship of an exponential character.

The harmonic partials are associated with the fundamental note asseparate notes by themselves. These partials are superimposed upon thefundamental note to enrich it and this is accomplished by the structureof the instrument when subjected to moderate changes in blowingpressure. In the blowing of a fundamental note, there is a definitefingering for that note. If the fingering is maintained and the blowingpressure is increased, harmonic partials of higher frequency areobtained but the fundamental note is still present. With a moderatechange in blowing pressure the fundamental note stands out and thepartials develop and are recognized by the ear but they are of higherrate of vibration but they are still part of the harmonics of thefundamental note.

When these partials or overtones are added to the fundamental tone, thequality of the resultant note is altered in timbre and intensity.

This invention, therefore, particularly relates to an improved musicalwind instrument, sometimes known as a fipple-flute, or as achimney-keyed chromatic fippleflute, or as a chimney-keyed chromaticfiageolet, or as one of the pipes in the wind instrument field. Such aninstrument is much easier to play and to learn to play than any knownwind instrument that could produce like notes, and which has a definitefundamental tone. This improved instrument is simple of construction, islight of weight, and easy to hold in playing position, and may bedesigned of different lengths as the desired pitch of the instrumentdictates.

The chimney keys, and other keys and covers, over the openings in theflute body may completely cover the air exits, or they may partiallycover them. Some of the covers or keys have different thicknesses so asto provide difierent lengths of air chimneys that act to increase thelength of the air column at one or more of the air exit openings,thereby to obtain variations in the pitch of the musical tones developedby this instrument, as by creating changes of half notes, or otherwise.Improved mechanical operating or fingering mechanisms act to vary theseair exit openings in the tube to produce the different tones inaccordance with the modified lengths of the air column due to theparticular positions of the various covers or keys at a particularinstant of time,

thus to produce the variations in the sounds or tones issuing from theinstrument.

One of the important features of this invention resides in the type ofcovers or keys, employed with the air exit openings in the tube body ofthe instrument. in some instances, it is desired to specifically closeentirely one or more of the air exit openings. In other instances, it isdesired to have covers for closing one or more of the air exit openingssimultaneously and to construct such covers with an opening of verysmall diameter or a little larger diameter, but in any event, no largerthan the diameter of the opening of the air exit in the body structureof the instrument. The thickness of these covers assists in creatingvariations in frequency in the vibrating air column by changing thelength of the air colum due to the thickness of the cover and in placingeach cover in position of extending or reducing the normal size of theair exit opening. Usually the moving of one of the chimney-keys from itsopen position to its down or closed position changes the air columnlength and thereby changes a note by a half tone.

A further feature of the invention resides in the providing an improvedmouthpiece at one end of the instrument, and assembling this mouthpiecein relation to the channel to allow the air blown into the mouthpiece toproceed under increasing compression through the covered part of thechannel to a predetermined point and then to flow over a perforation orquasi-half moon restricted opening which leads to one end of the aircolumn in the tubular or body part of the instrument, and thus to createvibrations in the air column. This stream of air under compressionconstitutes the air reed. This air reed under different degrees ofcompression and passing over the quasi-half moon opening causes the aircolumn to vibrate at different amplitudes. The frequencies may bemodified as desired by the operation of the several covers or keys overthe air exit openings.

Further novel features of the invention provide for the range of use ofthe improved instrument which are readily obtained by varying some ofthe construction of the instrument, as, for instance, changes indiameter of the bore so as to provide a tapering air column preferablywith the smaller diameter near the lower or open end of the instrument,or providing different diameters in the covers or keys over the air exitopenings formed in the sides of the instrument, or by fingering thevarious covers so as to partially cover the exit openings even thoughone of the thicker covers may be pushed to position of closing the exitopening. Other variations may be made by modifying the type of channelprovided for the air reed, thereby changing the direction and pressurein the air reed so as to change its effectiveness in creating othervibrations in the air column, or to change the contour of the verticalhole beneath the air reed, or to change the cubic capacity oftheexpansion or resonating chamber to produce added resonance and othervalues.

The dimensions and constructional relations of the several portions ofthe instrument controlling the direction and eifect to the air reed aredesigned to be in relation to the exponential character to the series ofharmonic partials desirable in producing the extensive range andvariable power of tone in this novel instrument.

The various other advantages and improved features of the inventionherein will be appreciated in reading the detailed description belowwhen taken with the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view of the exterior of the fipple-flute showing some of theoperating mechanisms and keys and showing a part of an air reed channelin the mouthpiece section;

Fig. 2 is an exterior view of the fipple-fiute when turned 90 from theview in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top planview, partially in section, of some of the keys andtheir operating mechanism, and the figure 4 also illustrates variousheights or thicknesses of the keys and openings therein;

Fig. 4 is a view partially in section of a portion of the key operatingmechanism showing an arrangement allowing independent movements of someof the keys although supported by the same shaft;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the operating mechanism taken on line 55of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the mouthpiece portion of the fipple-fiutetaken on line 6-6 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 7 is an end view of the mouthpiece shown m Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the mouthpiece portion of thefipple-flute showing the relations of the openings in the mouthpieceportion;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of one of the keys and its opened relationto a hole in the body of the fipple-flute;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view as in Fig. 10 of the key properly seated inclosed position against a portion of the body of the fipple-flute; and

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of a portion of the body of the fipple-fluteshowing its relative thickness and showing one of the keys in closedposition, and showing an uncovered opening in the body of theinstrument.

Referring now to these drawings, the improved fipple= flute is noted at18 composed of mouthpiece portion 19 and 'body portion 2%) whichsections overlap when joined together. The construction for overlappingis illus-' trated in Fig. 6, and the external joining shows at theannular line 21.

The improved flute body has an open bore 22', Figs. 10, 11 and 12, tothe bellowed end 23 and extends into bore 24 in the mouthpiece portionit. These passages 22 and 24 constitute the air column in the bore ofthe flute. Air is supplied by the player blowing into the mouthpiece 26and which air passes along a channel 27 having a covered portion fromthe inlet end of the mouthpiece 26 to a plane 28 and from there the airpasses a vertical opening 30 and along the remainder of the channelwhich is exposed and which is designated 29. The base of this latterpart of the channel preferably has a convex portion.

The bore of the fipple-flute may be of uniform diameter or maybetapered. Usually the tapered type of here is preferred.

A number of holes or openings are formed in the wall 31 at position toplay certain notes of the scale. A series of these holes or openings isshown in Figs. 1, 2, 10, 11 and 12, and the openings are designated 32,33, 34, 35, 36 and 37. Two openings covered by the keys 38 and 39, Figs.1 and 2, are not visible. It will be noted that openings 32, 34 and 37have no covers. The player covers these by manipulation of his fingers.Opening 33 and 35 are provided, respectively, with keys 4t), and 41, andthese keys with keys 38 and 39 are manipulated by the player to coverthe holes or openings in a manner to change a note by a half tone.Particular attention is also called to the fact that some of these keyshave openings larger than others, and reference is made to openings 46in key 40, opening 47 in key 41, and likewise, opening 48 in key 38,while key 39 is maintained closed and when closing over its openingcloses the opening entirely. Referring to key 42, it has a large m-ainopening 49 which surrounds an upright collar 50, Fig. l, and in itsmanipulation does not cover the opening 36. The covering of this opening36 is accomplished by the finger of the player.

In the preferred construction of the operating mechanism shown in Fig.3, the operation of either key 41 or 42 will cause the operation of key40. The operation of key 40 does not operate either key 41 or 42, as apin 51, Fig. 5, carried by key 41 construction, engagm shoulder 52 whichiskeyed to shaft 56 by .pin 54 and n t manipul t oncillat shaft 56.-When.- key; 4m

is manipulated, shoulder 52 moves away from pin 51, and, therefore,neither key 41 nor key 42 is moved. Again in reference to Fig. 3, keys41 and 42 are firmly fastened to shaft 57 which shaft may be hollow ormay 'be solid. Key 59 is mounted on a hollow shaft 60 and is manipulatedby arm 61. This key is normally closed and is independently operated anddoes not join with either keys 41 or 42. Arm 61 is provided so as to allow proper manipulation with the left hand of the player. Key 62 isnoted as being carried on shaft 63, Fig. 1, and is positioned so as tobe easily manipulated by the thumb of the player. This particular keyhas an opening (not shown) which is approximately inch diameter and maybe closed by the operation of the thumb. Bar 64 is provided tomanipulate the key 62 by closing the pad on the hole in the instrumentand leaving the 1 inch hole open. In this position just described, theposition of key 62 acts as an octave key. When the hole in theinstrument, and the inch hole are closed, the fundamental tones areinduced. This key 62 is normally open.

Chimney key 38 and key 39 are independent, and are easily manipulated byone finger by engaging car 67 or arm 68 or chimney-key 38 itself. Itwill be noted in this mechanical operation, that the shafts are held ina series of similar uprights illustrated at 69 and 70, Fig. 2, and thekeys are all provided with definite types of springs such as representedby wire 71-Fig. 2-which wire engages upright 68 and the shaft 65. Thewire is so positioned by sticking out of upright 69 and by engagingshaft 65 at a point that normally springs the wire so that it biases thekey into either an open or closed position, as desired. Normally key 38is in open position. Keys 39 and 59 are normally maintained closed,while keys 38, 40, 41 and 62 are normally maintained open.

The holes in the body of the instrument are positioned at definite anddesired places along the body portion of the tube so as to play certainnotes of the scale. Likewise, the keys which cover come of the openingsmay be of varied sizes and may have openings in them of variousdiameters, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. In addition, the thicknessof the keys may be relatively con- Siderable or less, also for thepurpose of varying the musical results, and especially for changing thelength of the air column in the instrument. It is preferred that keys38, 40 and 41 shall have thickness made up of metal 72, Figs. 10, 11 and12, and an insulator, such as cork, '73, or any other desired material.It is desired that the metal shall have an annular collar or chimneypart 74 so that when the key 40 is closed, as noted in Figs. 11 and 12,there will be an increase in the length of the air column.

In providing the suitable hole in the body 31 under the keys, it isdesired to provide for actually closing the hole so that there will beno exit except through the key and along the collar 74. This is providedby preferably forming an annular sharp edge 76 which acts as a seat forreceiving the cork 73. Part of the body is cut away annularly at 77 toallow for positioning of the outer end of the cork 73. The illustrationsin Figs. 11 and 12 show the key 49 in its closed position, thusproviding a closed additional length of air column, which additionallength is called a chimney and, therefore, the keys of this structureare known as chimney-keys. Fig. 12 illustrates the body 31 with the bore22 and uncovered opening 32.

Referring to Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9, it will be convenient for description,to divide the disposition of constructional elements into region A andregion B. The dividing line will be taken as the plane 28 perpendicularto the axis of the instrument and cutting the instrument at 8-8 wherethe channel 27 changes from closed to open, i.e., at one end of themouthpiece 26 where the input of air from the mouth of the player issuesinto the open portion 6 of the channel 27 over an opening 30, preferablyof halfmoon contour which leads into the interior part of mouthpieceportion 19.

It will be noted that the assembly of the mouthpiece 26 on themouthpiece portion 19 of the instrument is accomplished in a way topresent two adjacent openings:

(1) The preferred half-moon opening 30, Fig. 9, through the wall of theinstrument into a resonance chamber, and (2) a meniscus shaped opening31, Fig. 9, for the issue of compressed air from the mouth of theplayer, which air issue constitutes the air-reed.

Although invisible, this air-reed in motion and under compression, actsas tangible element having a definite shape and mass much the same asany cane or metal reed of a musical instrument. The positions of and themanner in which the two holes or openings are presented to each other,will be known as a coupling.

One of the novel features of this invention as noted above, is to effectthis coupling so as to cause the air reed to initially rarefy the air atthe half-moon shaped opening 30 to the air column in the body of theinstrument. To accomplish this desired coupling, the curvature of thefloor of the channel 27 is preferably convex for the greater part of itslength under the mouthpiece 26, as noted in Fig. 6. The air reed issuingat point 28 is preferably above or outside the half-moon opening 30.

The contour of the channel 27 is further caused to change sharply at 81on dotted line to form the curved part 82 and to lead to and meet theinner wall 83 of the bore of the instrument at a point 84.

One of the most desirable structural features of this novel instrumentto insure the desired tone production which feature usually governs orcontrols a condition of manufacture is that of providing within limitscertain contours of the inner walls and the positions or location ofsome cut away portions. It has been found that the desired relationshipof the harmonics to a fundamental tone will result when the structure ofthe instrument is approximately such that the following conditionexists, i.e., having two lines intersect in the region A. The first ofthese two lines is one drawn through the points 81 and 86, and asextended into region A, will intersect a second line that traces theinside of the upper surface of the mouthpiece 26 at the uppermostcurvature thereof and extends beyond the mouthpiece. Referring to Fig. 6of the drawings, these two lines will intersect within region A at point87. This intersection point may vary in position but it is desired thatit be somewhere within the region A. When the manufacture of theinstrument is such that the lines intersect as noted, then theinstrument will produce the harmonics of the fundamental tone. Also,when the line passing through points 81 and 86 is extended into regionB, it will lie above the bottom of the open channel portion 29 for adistance a few times the lateral measurement of the half-moon opening,the relationship of the harmonics to a fundamental will also bemaintained.

Referring now to the formation of the air column within the body of theinstrument, there is provided an expansion chamber 88 of the borejoining the half-moon opening 30 with the general internal air column.This expansion or resonance chamber below the half-moon opening 30 ispreferably formed by enlarging somewhat the bore at that region.

In noting the air reed as a tangible mass quantity, it will beunderstood that the initial rarefaction set up at the half-moon opening30 in the instrument by the air reed, is met immediately by an equal andopposite com pression, which rarefaction and compression follow oneanother in quick succession with the air reed fluttering to and fro overthe half-moon shaped opening, thus sustaining the tone in desired pitch.Increased input, as by the force of the players breath, producesincrease in power of tone without distortion of pitch. This noveleffect, much desired in music, is, it will be noted, made a possible bythis novelcombination of exponentially provided constructional featuresacting in correlation with the natural measurements of the instrumentgoverning tones.

Considering the aero-dynamic principles involved, it will be evidentthat the presence of exponentially curving structure as described,forces the air-reed to follow along the curved surfaces of the channeland later along outer Surface 29 of the floor or base of channel 27 to agreater or lesser degree, depending upon the rate of input of air at thewill of the player. These combined airactions and reactions therefore,impart in a large measure, elasticity to the air-reed, thereby resultingin the desired musical shadings.

With the desired construction of the mouthpiece portion 19 of theimproved instrument, it will be noted the line drawn through the points81 and 86 is tangent at the point 31 to the floor of the channel 27.When the player blows air into the mouthpiece 26, it will be noted inFig. 6 that the air becomes compressed as the floor of channel 27 risesand thereby requires the air to be compressed to form the air reed, andthe highest point of compression is at exit point 81. The air thenissues from underneath the mouthpiece 26 at the meniscus opening 31,where the channel is open at its top and passes over the opening 30 andalong the curvature of the floor of the channel 27 in the open region B.The radius of the floor of channel 27 is the same as that under themoutl piece for a distance, and then the curve becomes concave andcontinues to the top wall of the instrument, and thus the air reed isforced out of and away from the instrument. Thus, the depth of thechannel 27 varies. The floor of the channel 27 may vary somewhat inlength of the convex and concave portions and such variations may begoverned or controlled or dictated by a desired coupling which permitsthe musical impressions desired. The structure simulated in Fig. 6 forthese preferred curvatures has been found to be satisfactory.

It will be evident from the description and the structural featuresoutlined that this invention discloses a novel construction to utilizeair in motion as a reed affording most of the qualities heretoforeascribed only to cane or metal reeds.

This invention also provides for the novel arrangement for changing thelength of air column in the body of the instrument by includingdifferent novel types of keys, some noted above as chimney-keys.

It will be understood that various modifications and changes may be madein the preferred form of the invention herein, and such modificationsand changes are to be understood as part of this invention, as outlinedin the following claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A musical instrument comprising the combination of a tube, amouthpiece at one end of the tube, said tube and mouthpiece having abore extending longitudinally therethrough, said tube having a series ofradial tone holes therethrough communicating with the bore for playingnotes of different pitch, said mouthpiece being open at one end for thereception of a stream of air, the mouthpiece having a channelcommunicating with the opening and directing the stream of air along apath externally of the bore and longitudinally thereof, the chan nelhaving a floor, side walls and a roof, the roof extending substantiallyparallel to the axis of the bore, the floor having a convex curvaturesloping upwardly from the opening toward the roof and then downwardlyaway from the roof from a point in nearest proximity to the roof, thefloor having an orifice opening through the floor and forming acommunication between the channel'and the bore, said orifice beinglocated in proximity to but beyond the said point of nearest proximityof the floor to the roof so that the cross sectional area of the channel constantly diminishes to said point of nearest proximity andthenincreases to the near, edge of the orifice, and the u roof terminatingabove the near edge of the orifice so that the channel is open toatmosphere above and beyond the orifice.

2. A musical instrument comprising the combination of a tube, amouthpiece at one end of the tube, said tube and mouthpiece having abore extending longitudinally therethrough, said tube having a series ofradial tone holes therethrough communicating with the bore for playingnotes of different pitch, said mouthpiece being open at one end for thereception of a stream of air, the mouthpiece having a channelcommunicating with the opening and directing the stream of air along apath externally of the bore and longitudinally thereof, the channelhaving a floor, side walls and a roof, the roof extending substantiallyparallel to the axis of the bore, the floor having a convex curvaturesloping upwardly from the opening toward the roof and then downwardlyaway from the root from a point in nearest proximity to the roof, thefloor having an orifice opening through the floor and forming acommunication between the channel and the bore, said orifice beinglocated in proximity to but beyond the said point of nearest proximityof the floor to the roof so that the cross sectional area of the channelconstantly diminishes to said point of nearest proximity and thenincreases to the near edge of the orifice, the roof terminating abovethe near edge of the orifice so that the channel is open to atmosphereabove and beyond the orifice, the orifice having a diameter whichincreases as it progresses from the floor to the bore so that the faredge of the orifice forms an acute angle with the floor and presents anenlarged chamber.

3. A musical instrument comprising the combination of a tube, amouthpiece at one end of the tube, said tube and mouthpiece having abore extending longitudinally therethrough, said tube having a series ofradial tone holes therethrough communicating with the bore for playingnotes of diiferent pitch, said mouthpiece being open at one end for thereception of a stream of air, the mouthpiece having a channelcommunicating with the opening and directing the stream of air along apath externally of the bore and longitudinally thereof, the channelhaving a floor, side walls and a roof, the roof extending substantiallyparallel to the axis of the bore, the floor having a convex curvaturesloping upwardly from the opening toward the roof and then downwardlyaway from the roof from a point in nearest proximity to the roof, thefloor having an orifice opening through the floor and forming acommunictaion between the channel and the bore, said orifice beinglocated in proximity to but beyond the said point of nearest proximityof the floor to the roof so that the cross sectional area of the channelconstantly diminishes to said point of nearest proximity and thenincreases to the near edge of the orfice, the roof terminating above thenear edge of the orifice so that the channel is open to atmosphere aboveand beyond the orifice, the orifice having a diameter which increases asit progresses from the floor to the bore so that the far edge of theorifice forms an acute angle with the floor and presents an enlargedchamber, and the floor continuing beyond the far edge of the orifice insaid convex curvature.

4. A musical instrument comprising the combination ofa tube, amouthpiece at one end of the tube, said tube and mouthpiece having abore extending longitudinally tzerethrough, said mouthpiece being openat one end for the reception of a stream of air, the mouthpiece having achannel communicating with the opening and directing the stream of airalong a path externally the bore and longitudinally thereof, the channelhaving a floor, side walls and a roof, the roof extending substantiallyparallel to the axis of the bore, the floor having a convex curvaturesloping upwardly from the opening toward the roof and then downwardlyaway from the root from a point in nearest proximity to the roof, thefioor having an orifice opening through the floor and formingv acommunication between the channel and the bore, said orifice beinglocated in proximity to but beyond the said point of nearest proximityof the floor to the roof so that the cross sectional area of the channelconstantly diminishes to said point of nearest proximity and thenincreases to the near edge of the orifice, the said tube having a seriesof radial tone holes therethrough communicating with the bore forplaying notes of different pitch, two of the tone holes of the seriesbeing positioned for playing one note when the lower hole is open andthe upper hole is closed, and a second note, a whole tone higher thanthe first note when both holes are open, a cylindrical key adapted to besuperimposed over the upper hole coaxially therewith, having a bore of adiameter and length to sound the fiat of said second note when the keyis positioned over the upper hole with its outer extremity open so thatthe bore of the key is in communication with and forms an extension ofthe bore of the tube, and a manually operable finger piece associatedwith said key to depress said key in said position while leaving itsouter extremity open.

5. The musical instrument as defined in claim 4 in which the diameter ofthe bore of said cylindrical key approximates the diameter of said upperhole.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS527,742 Devault Oct. 16, 1894 638,385 Evette Dec. 5, 1899 1,786,833Dytch Dec. 30, 1930 2,202,410 Walberg May 28, 1940 2,330,379 PowellSept. 28, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 246,255 Italy Apr. 1, 1926 431,185Germany July 1, 1926 841,597 France Feb. 13, 1939 724,046 Germany Aug.17, 1942

